Shipping times and costs from Richmond, United States of America to Amsterdam, Netherlands

Shipping times
1 - 3 Days by air
11 - 16 Days by sea

1 Bedroom flat

Shipping costs by air £4,363 - £4,823
Shipping costs by sea £2,290 - £2,532

3 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £3,524 - £3,896

5 Bedroom house

Shipping costs by air N/A
Shipping costs by sea £5,286 - £5,843

Please note: the prices listed here are meant as an estimate only. The best way to get a comprehensive, tailored quote is to fill out our form and be matched with a supplier.

Shipping Container Costs to Netherlands

Amsterdam is the king of cool. Nowhere in Europe will you find a happier and more laid back bunch of people. They’ve been welcoming expats for hundreds of years, and today the Dutch capital is home to 180 different nationalities. The city itself is iconic, full of beautiful canals, trendy coffee shops and - of course - bicycles. An Amsterdammer’s daily commute is the envy of the world. The locals are spoilt for choice when it comes to museums and there’s the vast Vondelpark for anyone who needs some green space. If you’ve got the energy, Amsterdam’s clubs are some of the best in Europe (underground techno raves are their thing). The city’s food scene is also spectacular, with a seriously diverse range of restaurants. Before you can start your new life in Amsterdam, there are a few practical things you need to know.

Different shipping options

International relocation normally involves bringing a few belongings. Unless you’re moving to Amsterdam from mainland Europe then you’ve got two options: air freight or sea freight. Here are the advantages and disadvantages:

Air freight will get your stuff to Amsterdam quickly (1-3 days) but it’s expensive. If you’re moving to the Netherlands last minute then air freight might be your only option.

Sea freight takes a bit longer, but it’s much better value for money. We recommend planning your international move at least a few months in advance so you can use sea freight. Depending on the amount of cargo you want to ship, you will use either a 20ft or 40ft container. If you only have a small amount of stuff then you can share the use of a container with other people (called Less Than Container Load, or LCL). Most of our shipping suppliers offer a full door-to-door delivery service, which is much easier than doing things port-to-port.

Major shipping routes

The Port of Amsterdam is the second largest port in the Netherlands (after Rotterdam) and the fifth largest in Europe, so it’s pretty big. By 2019 it will actually have the largest sea-lock in the world (like a driveway). Your container will sail into this port via the North Sea Canal and then be delivered to your new home by truck. Fun fact: the Port of Amsterdam is the most important port in the world for the cocoa trade, supplying most of the cocoa for Europe and America’s chocolate industries. Yum!

Amsterdam customs

Once your container reaches the Port of Amsterdam, it needs to get through customs. If you’re coming from within the EU then you can benefit from the free movement of goods, so you don’t need to declare anything. You can bring your household goods into the Netherlands duty-free. On the other hand, if you’re coming from outside the EU then you’ve got a bit of work to do. You need to create an inventory (ie. a list) of everything inside your container, being as clear and specific as possible. Every container is scanned electronically and some are even physically searched, so the officials will know if your inventory doesn’t match up with what’s inside. You can import your household goods duty-free, as long as they are used and you intend to use them in the Netherlands. Most importantly, you mustn’t bring anything that’s prohibited or restricted (see below). Check out the official Netherlands customs website for more information.

Shipping Container Options

20Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
33 Cubic Meters
5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £3,524 - £3,896

Get a quote for a 20ft container
Get Shipping Container Quotes
  • Boxes
    16 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedrooms
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

40Ft Shipping Container

Dimensions:
67 Cubic Meters
12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m (l x w x h)

Price: £6,695 - £7,401

Get a quote for a 40ft container
Get Shipping Container Quotes
  • Boxes
    28 x medium boxes
  • Kitchen
    1 x american fridge, 1 x small fridge, 3 x kitchen appliances
  • Bedroom
    1 x wardrobe, 1 x double bed, 1 x single bed, 2 x lamps
  • Lounge
    1 x sofa, 4 x chairs, 1 x table, 1 x armchair, 1 x television
  • Various
    1 x car, 1 x motorbike, 4 x bicycles

Please note that this is an estimate and is intended for rough guidance only.

Car shipped by sea freight

Max Dimensions: 5.75m x 2.2m x 2.2m (l x w x h)

Base Price: £1,091 - £1,206

Quarantine & Taxes: £1,000 - £2,500

Price: £5,624 - £9,146

Get a quote for a car
Get Shipping Container Quotes

Unusual Restricted Items

Drugs and Narcotics
It is not permitted to import and to export narcotics (drugs) such as hashish, cocaine and heroin.
Antiques
Antiques and items that might be of art and cultural significance are highly restricted.
Plants
Live plants, cuttings, wood and seeds are forbidden.
Flowers and Bulbs
Flowers and bulbs from non-EU countries are prohibited.
Products from Protected Species
Products from protected species listed under CITES
Any Weapons and Replicas
Weapons & Firearms.